Washing machine



Dec..22, 1925- C. T. COATES WASHING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 of which the Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

UNITED STA crimson a. commas, or ST. LOUIS, 'mssoo TES/ RI, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE A8- BIGNHENTS, TO C. & 1'. MANUFACTURING 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORA- 'IION OI ILLINOIS.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed May 18, 1922. Serial No. 581,895. I

To all whom alt-may concern:

' Be it known that I, CLINTON T. CoA'rEs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Louis, county of St. Louis, and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing Machines,

following is a specification. My invention relates generally to improvements in washing machines, but relates more particularly to improvements in domestic washing machines.

The general object of my invention is to provide a machine wherewith clothes, dishes and other articles can be successfully cleansed or washed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a washing machine which shall be of such construction that after the articles have been cleansed or washed they can be quickly and easil dried or at least partly dried while in t e machine.

Again it is an object of my invention to provide a washing machine of such construction that it can be operated by hand successfully and without great effort, but which, if desired, can also be mechanically or electrically driven.

Another object of my invention is to provide a washing machine of such construction that upon operation the cleansing medium will be caused to move or surge through the articles to be cleansed in a very efficient manner.

I aim also to provide a machine whereby the complete cleansing of all of the dishes, pans and other implements used about the home can be thoroughly and at the same time easily accomplished.

My invention consists generally in a machine of the form, struction and co-operation of the parts, whereby the above named objects, together with others that will appear hereinafter are attainable; and m invention will be more readily understoo by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate what I consider, at the present time, to be the preferred embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine embbdyin my invention, portions thereof being bro en away better to disclose the interior construction.

arrangement, con- Fig. .2 is a lon 'tudinal vertical section substant1ally on t e line 22 of" Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, substantially on the line 33 of Fi 2. F g. 4 1s a detail fragmentary view ifiustratmg motor driving means for my inventlon.

Fig. 5 is a cover that may be used undertable either of usual or desired construction.

It may likewise be placed upon the floor in which latter event, it would referably be provided with a supporting rame or legs of a size longer than those shown inthe drawings.

The machine proper, as here shown, comprises a substantially cylindrical chamber 2 which is closed by end walls 3 and 4 respectively. The cylindrical portion merges upwardly into a substantially rectangular portion having vertical side walls 5 and 6 and end walls 7 and 8 respectively, which end walls are in effect continuations of the end walls 3 and 4 that close the cylindrical part of the machine. The machine chamber is thus closed throughout except for the top opening 9 which, in turn, is adapted to be closed by a removable cover member 10. A suitable framework 11 is provided for properly supporting the machine in a suitably rigid manner. Through the end walls 3 and 4 I position, preferably in longitudinal alinement, shafts or trunnions 12 and 13. In order to form proper bearings for these rotating parts I preferably secure to the end walls metal bearing blocks 14 and 15 respectively. As will be observed the shafts or trunnions 12 and 13 extend but a short distance into the chamber of the machine. They are connected, however, by means that not only serves to tie themtogether, but also serves to perform several other novel and important functions which will shortl appear. Securedto rotate with the she s 12 and 13 are hub members 16 and 17 respec' lively, from which radiate a plurality of opposite fan members are connected by means of strap members 20. The strap members 20, as will be observed, extend substantially radially of the axis of rotation of the fans and the end portions therof are bent at right angles to the body portions, as indicated at 21, thus forming a convenient means whereby they may be bolted, riveted, or otherwise secured to the fan blades.

A crank or handle 22 is provided whereby rotation may be conveniently imparted to the shaft 12 which obviously will result in rotating the fans, members 20. and the shaft or trunnion 13. A basket or receptacle 23 is provided for holding the articles to be washed or cleansed. While this basket may be made of different materials, it is preferably made of a rather open wire mesh so that the water may freely flow therethrough. As here shown the basket or receptacle 23 is open at the top, but if desired it may be provided with a. cover. The basket 23 does not rotate but by gravity maintains substantially the position shown in the drawings al though some rocking or swinging motion .will take place which is not 'only not objectionable but advantageous in that it to that extent assists in the washing operation. The receptacle 23 is supported on the shafts 12 and 13, the shafts entering bottom opening sockets 24 and 25 of metal blocks that are affixed to the receptacle 23. The receptacle 23 may thus be readily lifted as a whole upwardly through the opening in the top of the machine.

The-remaining structural parts and their functions will probably be best understood by a description of the operation of the machine. Let us first assume that the machine is to be used for washing dishes. This being the case the dishes are placed in the basket or receptacle 23 whereupon rotation of the shaft 12 either by means of a handle 22 or by means of the motor 24 and the gearing 25, shown in Fig. 4, will result in rotary motion of the fans as well as rotary-motion of the strap members 20. It will be understood that a quantity of water and a suitable amount of soap or other similar medium is placed in the chamber 2 of the machine. As the fans or blades 18 pass through-the water, because of the pitch thereon-they tend to throw the water against the basket 23 and hence against the dishes contained therein. 1 Likewise the strap members 20 sweeping through the water cause considerable quantitles thereof to be bodily lifted upwardly, some thereof falling upon the dishes as the part of the machine.

lines downwardly and toward the centei This water having been elevated a considerable distance impacts against the dishes with considerable force, thus greatly aiding in the washing operation. It will be understood that the basket 23 does not rotate, although slight swinging movement thereof under the agitation of the water may take place without danger of inj uring the dishes.

The speed at which the device is operated may vary but I have so far found that for dish washing purposes the best speed is one which the operator would attain in turning it by hand at a rather easy going pace.

The action of the machine is so efiicient that complete cleansing of the dishes may be accomplished in a relatively short time. After the dishes have been thoroughly cleansed the cleansing medium may be discharged through the drain or faucet 26 after which the drain is closed and a quantity of preferably clear hot water is placed in the machine whereupon a few revolutions is enough to th -oughly rinse the dishes at which time t e rinse water is preferably withdrawn and the machine operated for a short period to complete the drying. In this final operation of drying it should be understood that the fans as well as the strap members 20 set the air in rapid movement and thus greatly assist in the quick and thorough drying of the dishes.

Such of the dishes, pans or other cooking utensils as require scouring can be attended to during the washing of the other dishes as I have provided a scouring wheel 27 which is operatively connected to rotate with the shaft or trunnion 13. The means of connection here shown is a tapering socket 28 into which the tapered shank portion 29 of the wheel 27 enters. By this means pots, pans and other cooking utensils which are ordinarily difficult to clean can be cleansed in a very quick and easy way. The wheel 27 may be made of different materials or a number of different wheels may be provided so that scouring, polishing and other operations can be properly performed.

For washing clothes, if desired. the clothes may simply be placed in the basket 23 and the machine operated practically as described with respect to the washing of dishes. It is thought by some authorities that tumbling of the clothes is essential to the proper cleansing thereof. Be this as it may, I have provided means whereby such action may be secured if desired.- To this end, I

provide a cover member 30, such for example as is shown in Fig. 5. The cover member 30 is substantially the size of the basket 23 and in fact has a lower rectangular edge portion 31 which corresponds generally to the upper rectangular edge portion 23 of the basket 23 so that when placed thereupon a complete closure will result. At the end portions the cover is provided with depending fingers 32 and 33 respectively which are adapted to straddle the members 16 and 17, the members 16 and 17 being squared to receive the same. Carried by the fingers 32 and 33 respectively are catches 32' and 33' which are held in the full line position by means of springs 32 and 33 respectively as best shown in Fig. 5. When the cover is placed on the receptacle 23 the latches 32' and 33 spring into notches 16 formed in the squared part of the members 16 and 17 which prevents the parts 23 and 30 from falling away from the shafts 12 and 13 when the machine is in rotation. To release the latches are merely pulled by engaging the finger or eye portions 32" and 33" respectively. The end portions of the cover are likewise provided with catches or latches 34 so that when the cover is placed against the receptacle 23 the latches will spring into place and lock the cover a ainst removal until the latches are positive y retracted by the o erator. Thus when the cover is assemb ed with the receptacle 23 and the machine is operated both the receptacle 23 and the cover 30, forming one drum or enclosure, will rotate with the fans and the strap members 20. In such operation, therefore, the water will not only be caused to flow through the clothes by virtue of the distributing action of the fans and members 20, but the clothes will also be tumbled, thus further causing a surging of the water throu h the clothes. If desired, the machine may rotated a few revolutions in one direction and then reversed to eliminate any objectionable tangling or tying of the garments together but since this is common practice no detail description thereof need be given.

From the foregoing it should be obvious that my invention is capable of use for dish washing purposes or for the purpose of washing clothes or other similar articles and-that any change required for the peri;.;-;};forniance of the different operations can be "."If

readily accomplished by any one in almost an instants time.

The device is simple, use has proven to be unusual I claim:

inexpensive and in y efliclent.

1. A device of the class described embodying therein, a liquid holding chamber, perforate article holding means therein, liquid dispersing means within the liquid holding chamber and surrounding the article holding means, said liquid dispersing means including a fan adjacent each end of the article holding means and separate therefrom, said fan having angularly pitched blades for establishing a circulation of the liquid in a plane parallel to the axis of said liquid dispersing means.

2. A device of the class described embodying therein, a liquid holding chamber, a plurality of fans positioned in spaced relation therein, article holding means arranged between said fans, said fans having angularly pitched blades for establishing a circulation of the liquid in a plane longitudinally of said article holding means, means connecting said fan blades together and extending between the outer (portions thereof, and means for rotating sai fan blades and said connecting means.

3. A device of the kind described embodying therein, a liquid holding chamber, a cover therefor, a perforate article holding means, liquid dispersing means surrounding the article holding means, and a longitudinal centrally disposed, downwardly extending member on said cover and havmg o positely diverging sides adapted to d1rect water splashed by said dispersing means back into the article holding means along a lilne parallel with its longitudinal medlan ane. 4 p 4. A device of the class described embod ing therein article holding means, rotata le means surrounding the article holding means, a cover member for said article holding means, means for connecting it to the article holding means, and means connecting the cover means and the rotatable means as and for the purpose specified.

5. A device of the kind described embodying therein, an article holding member having an opening therein, rotatable means surrounding the article holding member and including shaft sections, a cover for said opening in said article holding member, means for removably attaching said cover to said article holding member, coacting means on said cover and. shafts for detachably connecting them together and means for rotating said shafts.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 11th day of May, A. D. 1922.

CLINTON 'r. COATES.

Ill 

